Many Java Sparrow breeders tend to use Budgie nest boxes for their birds when breeding.

I myself have used them successfully but I have found them to be a bit on the large side. I have found that the nest itself only takes up around a third of the space in a Budgie box leaving two thirds wasted. I have also found that, even though starting a nest off for the birds directly below the lid of the nest box, some birds will build the nest directly in front of the pop hole making it difficult to access the nest to pick up the chicks for ringing and general nest inspections.

A couple of breeders I know are now using nest boxes that Gouldian breeders use for  their birds. The nest box has an off-set entrance tunnel that leads to the main nest area.

I purchased a few of these form Arlane Aviculture at Stafford (March 2006) and my Java's took to them with no problems.

I now intend to use this type of box from now on and I've decided to make my own.

Listed below is the procedure for making one of my nest boxes.

Here is one of my completed nest boxes.

As mentioned above, this is they type of box that Gouldian breeders use.

This is a pretty standard nest box that can be purchased from most bird shows and sales days.

The only modifications I have made is to add a perch to the pop hole and to fit a heavier lid.
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Obviously before you can assemble one of these you need to cut your wood.

I have made a drawing of all the panels that shows you all the dimensions and type of wood to use.
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        Click on the drawing to download a pdf version.

You will need Adobe Reader to open this file.












 

These are how all the panels should look after you have cut and sanded smooth all the edges.

I would recommend labelling all the panels with the panel reference to avoid any confusion when assembling.

Step 1

IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE YOU KNOW AT THIS STAGE WHICH WAY YOUR TUNNEL IS TO BE POSITIONED TO FIT YOUR CAGE FRONTS....I.E. TUNNEL ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT.

Take the piece of 12mm dowel and fix underneath the pop hole on panel "A1".

I strongly recommend doing this first as you have full access to both sides of the panel.

Step 2

Fix panel "B" (nest box floor) to the bottom of panel "A1". (You can use adhesive, screws or nails...I am using 3/4" tacks).

Step 3

The next step is to fit panel "C" which will be the lower side wall of the nest box.

Note: You can see in this photo that I have screwed the perch to panel "A1" below the pop hole. I find that this makes the perch very secure and steady.

(If you decide to fix your perch with a screw then make sure you countersink  the panel to accept the head of the screw.....if the screw head is proud of the panel then the nest box will not fit together correctly).

Step 4

Fit panel "A2" to "mirror" panel "A1".

Make sure that all the panel joints are square and neat.

Step 5

Fit panel "D" as illustrated in this photo.

Step 6

Panel "C" is next, this is the floor area to the entrance tunnel.

Remember...Make sure that all the panel joints are square and neat.

Step 7

Fitting panel "E" is next, and completes all of the sides of the nest box.

Step 8

To complete the lid, mark a line 3" from one end and cut across the panel at 45 degrees (as shown in photo on the right).
 

Making the cut at this angle will allow the lid to hinge, and close neatly.
 

Step 9

The smaller half of panel "F" is fitted above the entrance tunnel with the angled edge facing down...i.e. you should not be able to see the angled cut when looking from directly above.

Step 10

The next stage is to mark the side panels "A1" and "A2" to allow the lid to hinge.

 

Make a mark 6mm (1/4") down from the top edge at 4 1/4".

Do this to both panels "A1" and "A2".

 

Step 11

Line up the larger half of panel "F" into plcae on the top of the nest box and insert a 1" screw though panels"A1" and "A2" and into the lid.....this will enable the lid to hinge.

Your nest box should look something like this.

Step 12

The only thing to do now is fit hangers so that you can fit the nest box to the cage front.

These are "Picture Hangers" that you can get from most D.I.Y stores....I pay 60p for a pair.

That's it...."Job Done!!!

If you have a go and make one of these, click here and let me know if this page was useful.